New superintendent named for York Schools

YORK — The York County School Board appointed a new superintendent for the York County School Division at its meeting Monday night — just a week before a new school year begins.

Victor Shandor, who has more than 20 years of experience in public education, will take over the role Nov. 1.

The division has been without a permanent superintendent since July 1 when Eric Williams stepped down to take the top spot at Loudon County Public Schools. In May, the board named Carl James, the York County School Division chief operations officer, as interim superintendent until the position was filled.

School Board Chairman Mark Medford said Shandor has "a proven track record in collaborating with staff and engaging the community to promote student success.

"He was our unanimous choice to continue our expectations for excellence in York County and to lead our school division to new success," Medford said after the vote was taken to approve Shandor's contract.

Shandor wasn't able to attend the meeting Monday night, Medford said, because of responsibilities to his current school division in Fulton County, Ga. But he sent a statement, which Medford read.

"In many ways this is like a homecoming for me and my family, as I began my career in Hampton Roads," Shandor's statement read. "YCSD has an outstanding reputation for excellence along with a commitment to students, staff and community involvement. As an educator and a father, I am impressed with the array of opportunities provided to meet the needs of every student."

After earning a degree from California University of Pennsylvania, Shandor started teaching in Norfolk as a special education para-educator, Medford said after the meeting. During his time there, Shandor earned a master's in exceptional education from Old Dominion University. Shandor went on to earn a specialist degree from George Washington University and a doctorate from Wingate University.

Before joining Fulton County Schools in 2011, Shandor served as the director of Exceptional Children's Programs for Cabarrus County Schools in North Carolina for six years.

Since April, the board has launched a nationwide search narrowing the pool to a final candidate. Medford said there were 25 applicants, and six were interviewed. The board stuck to its timeline — the plan was to make a decision by September.

"We didn't rush," Medford said.

The board asked parents, teachers and community members to weigh in on what they would like to see in the next superintendent through surveys and at a community meeting back in April and May.